Gopi Bhalla is an Indian actor, popularly known for his role as Gopinath Gandotra in the TV series F.I.R.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Gopi Bhalla was born as Ram Gopal Bhalla on Wednesday, 16 August 1961 (age 62 years; as of 2023) in Nabha, Punjab. His zodiac sign is Leo.
Gopi Bhalla in his childhood
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Weight (approx.): 70 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents. He has a brother named Ram Krishna Bhalla.
Gopi Bhalla with his mother
Wife & Children
Gopi Bhalla is married; he got married on 12 May 1993.
Gopi Bhalla with his wife
His son’s name is Sahil Bhalla.
Gopi Bhalla with his son
Address
11th Floor, Flat No. 115, Tower C, Asmita Jyoti CHS, Marve Road, Malad West, Mumbai – 400095
Career
Theatre
Gopi Bhalla started his career as a theatre artist by participating in local Ramleela in which he would usually play the role of a girl dancer to entertain Ravana. In the early 1990s, he moved to Mumbai from Punjab in search of work in the film and TV industry, where he initially lived with one of his old friends, Darshan Singh, from Nabha, who was working in Mumbai as a bank employee.
Gopi Bhalla shared an Instagram post about his first day in Mumbai
Television
In 1997, he made his debut with Zee TV’s television series ‘Amanat’ in which he played the role of Titu Singh. In 2006, he starred in the TV series F.I.R. in which he played the role of Gopinath Gandotra.
In 2012, he starred in the sitcom Gopi Gadha Aur Gupshup as Gopinath Gandotra, the character he earlier played in F.I.R. In the same year, he appeared as a guest on the TV show Chidiya Ghar. In 2013, he played the role of Sher Singh in the series Hum Aapke Hain In Laws. In 2016, he played the role of Lovely Singh Dhingra on the show ‘Dr. Madhumati On Duty’ alongside his F.I.R. co-star Kavita Kaushik. Later, he appeared in various other TV shows such as Savdhaan India (2016), Y.A.R.O Ka Tashan (2017), and Deewane Anjane (2017-18).
Gopi Bhalla as Lovely Singh Dhingra on the show ‘Dr. Madhumati On Duty
Films
In 1983, he made his debut in the film industry with the Punjabi film Putt Jattan De wherein he played the role of Chacha Amli. In 1989, he appeared alongside Pankaj Kapoor and Raj Babbar in the Punjabi film Marhi Da Deeva.
Gopi Bhalla in the film Marhi Da Diwa
Later, he appeared in various Hindi and Punjabi films such as Mera Dil Tere Liye (1992), Pehla Pehla Pyar (1994), Lajja (2001), Sarhad Paar (2006), Action Replayy (2010), Mar Jawan Gur Khake (2010), Romeo Ranjha (2014), and Time Nahi Hai (2019). In 2017, he starred alongside Hardy Sandhu in the Punjabi film Mahi NRI.
Gopi Bhalla with Rishi Kapoor and Tabu in the film Pehla Pehla Pyar
Awards and Honours
- In 2017, Gopi Bhalla won the Golden Achiever Award under the category ‘Performance in Arts and Television.’
Gopi Bhalla shared an Instagram post about receiving the Golden Achiever Award
- In 2018, he received the Best Angrezi Award at the SAB Ke Anokhe Awards for his role in the TV show F.I.R.
Gopi Bhalla shared an Instagram post about receiving the award for Best Angrezi
- In 2018, he received the Popular Comedian Award at the Achiever’s Award ceremony.
Gopi Bhalla receiving the Popular Comedian Award
- In 2019 and 2020, he won the Perfect Entertainer Award at the Achiever’s Award ceremony. [1]Instagram – Gopi Bhalla
- In February 2023, he was honoured by the RDD Shows for leaving a positive impact and bringing a lasting difference in society. [2]Instagram – Gopi Bhalla
Car Collection
Gopi Bhalla owns a Honda City car. [3]Instagram – Gopi Bhalla
Facts/Trivia
- According to Gopi, he has a fear of dogs. One day, his colleagues played a prank on him on the sets of F.I.R. along with the dog trainer to scare Gopi, and they had a good laugh about the entire incident. In an interview, while talking about the prank, he said,
Usually I am the trickster on the sets. But, this time Kavita got the better of me. I am afraid of dogs and was scared stiff when the dog started sniffing around me. I could not run away as I knew the dog would chase me. I avoided going anywhere near the dog till the entire shoot sequence involving the dogs was completed.”
- Gopi achieved immense popularity with the role of Gopinath Gandotra and became one of the very few characters on the show F.I.R. which remained intact until the show’s completion in 2015. In an interview, while talking about his role as Gopinath, he said,
I am now the oldest character on the show, and proud of the fact. It’s been long since I stepped into the shoes of Gopinath. Yet, I have not got bored of it. It has several shades to it, and a distinct style that I have realised has become popular. I love it when people imitate the way my character speaks, generously using the words ‘is the’ or how he walks. It’s fulfilling.”
- According to Gopi, he perfected his comedy timing under the guidance of the Late Kader Khan. In an interview, while talking about his experience as a Punjabi actor, he said,
I have done about 14 to 15 films in Punjabi language. Most of times I shared the screen with Late Kader Khan. I must say what a great actor he was along with a fantastic write. Also, I would like to add that the comic timing is something that I have learnt from him. I really loved to work and share things with him.”
- Initially, Titu Singh’s character in the series F.I.R. was decided to feature only in 2 episodes, but due to its immense popularity, the character of Titu Singh was extended to 150 episodes.
- The character of Titu Singh went on to become SAB TV’s first character to be developed into an animation.
References
